July 10, 2014 - To paraphrase a saying posted at my gym, it doesn't matter how slowly I move, as long as I move. In my case, moving forward should be about exercise, but it also includes steady progress toward better health in general. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Diabetes and high cholesterol. For those familiar with the numbers, my A1C Hemoglobin was 11.1 (normal is 4 - 6) and my cholesterol was 352. My doctor implied that I should have imploded long before living with those numbers. ...

July 10, 2014 - To paraphrase a saying posted at my gym, it doesn't matter how slowly I move, as long as I move. In my case, moving forward should be about exercise, but it also includes steady progress toward better health in general. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Diabetes and high cholesterol. For those familiar with the numbers, my A1C Hemoglobin was 11.1 (normal is 4 - 6) and my cholesterol was 352. My doctor implied that I should have imploded long before living with those numbers. In the past 2 years, I have brought my A1C down to 7.1 and my cholesterol to 144. The changes include dietary habits, some exercise (need much more), and oral medications (no insulin involved). I hope to be off the minimal dose of cholesterol medication after my next check-up. The doc says he wants the A1C under 7 to start reducing oral medications. So, my goal for the rest of the summer is to find a way to increase activity and adjust my food habits to reach those goals. Once again, back to SP to track my nutrition because that is the best tool I have found. It's not "starting again" but it is recommitting and making some adjustments. Here's to moving forward, slowly but surely! :)

Oct. 8, 2012 - According to the BMI, I have crossed the line from "obese" to "overweight." Now, that might not sound like something to celebrate too much, but I have been heavy since high school. I binge eat (okay, ate, not now) and I have an apple-shaped body type. 20+ years of being in the obese category on the BMI + some unlucky genetics have brought me to diabetes and high cholesterol. Now I have 2 options; die early or live healthy. I have made my choice. I have been on a steep learning curve the past 6 weeks. I am cutting carbs and adding protein. My carbs are in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. I am extremely limiting animal-based foods and wheat. I am also taking a few supplements and tracking my nutrition to make sure I limit my calories and get enough vitamins and minerals. While I have done this in the past, I have never gone to these extremes with changing my lifestyle. I try to be active every day, either walking or going to the gym. The less wheat and refined sugar products I eat, the less I want. This is actually getting easier by the day. :-)

Sept 21, 2012 - I am right on the line between "obese" and "overweight" and I am thrilled! I have been obese for over 20 years. It's not even believable to me that I will drop into the "overweight" category in the next day or two. It's almost as great as the day the sales clerk told me I could not shop in the "women's plus size" department any more because I was too small for those clothes. That was likely the best day of my life!

------------------------------------------------------------ Well, now I know. I dreaded getting my blood work done because my dad has high cholesterol and diabetes. I did not want to face my genetic risk factors, so I waited. Apparently, a little too long. I should have taken care of this a few years ago. Last Tuesday, August 28, 2012, my doctor diagnosed me as diabetic with extremely high cholesterol. That is my nightmare come true. Thank goodness I have Spark People to help me track nutrition and exercise. This is a tool that will be priceless to me in the days, weeks, months to come as I fight for control over my own health and body. So, here I am, ready to become a new and improved me. :)